Flexible Bag Holder

ABSTRACT

A bag holder for suspending a bag above the ground from a game table with a bumper is provided. The bag holder includes a flat base which fits underneath the inner edge of the table bumper and is attached with a flat, flexible strap which bends over the bumper that is attached with a chain or hook. The chain may have a fastener at one end so that the chain can be wrapped around a handle on the bag and then removably attached to another section of the chain to form a loop and secure the bag to the bag holder.

FIELD

This invention relates to a flexible bag holder, and more particularly to a flexible bag holder which attaches with a bumper of a game table and flexibly supports one or more bags.

BACKGROUND

Game tables, such as those used for poker, blackjack and the like, generally have thick, padded edges provided for the comfort of the players, who may be sitting at the table for long periods of time with their arms rested against the table edge. The padded edge, generally known as a bumper or rail, is typically leather, vinyl or some other soft material covering a padded material such as foam. The bumper is raised above the surface of the table, extends around the outer edge of the table and generally covers the edge of the casino table and extends several inches inward from the edge of the table.

Game and casino tables are designed to accommodate a maximum number of players, such that the space between each player at the table is very limited. Casinos also do not allow belongings to be placed on the table surface. Players using these tables thus encounter problems when securing their personal belongings. Personal items must be placed below their seats, around the seat back, or in their laps. Since locations with game tables are often crowded with people, and since tables are often placed in high traffic areas, these belongings are often out of the sight of the player and susceptible to theft. Game and/or casino tables in particular have table surfaces very high off the ground and accommodate bar stools or chairs, making belongings placed below the player completely out of view of the player. Blackjack tables are also typically placed in high traffic areas where a large number of people may be walking by or standing behind the tables, making the theft of the player's belongings highly likely. Poker tables, on the other hand, are typically lower to the ground and in darker, quieter areas of a casino. However, given the amount of time that a poker player spends at a particular table, the darkness of the area and particularly the area under a table makes it likely that a player will forget their belongings left under the table or chair and potential theft is still a risk.

Women carrying purses also prefer not to leave their purses on the ground, which may be dirty and susceptible to damage by the player or an adjacent player kicking or stepping on the purse. Placing the purse in the player's lap is inconvenient, uncomfortable and may even be prohibited in some casinos. And, as already mentioned, some players may inadvertently forget about their purse and leave it behind.

Therefore, there is a current need for a device which can secure and protect a player's personal belongings at a game table with a bumper.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein are directed to a bag holder for suspending a bag above the ground from a table with a bumper, and more particularly a flat base which fits underneath the inner edge of the bumper and is attached with a flat, flexible strap which bends over the bumper and has a chain, hook and/or other attachment device. The chain may have a removable fastener at one end so that the chain can be wrapped around a handle on the bag and then secured to another section of the chain to form a loop and more permanently secure the bag to the bag holder.

In one embodiment of the invention, a bag holder comprises: a flat base configured to slide between a bumper of a game table and a table surface; a flat, flexible strap connected with the flat base; a chain connected with the flat, flexible strap; and a fastener connected with the chain and configured to be removable attached with a portion of the chain.

The flat, flexible strap may be a layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring with a covering.

The layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring may be in a resting position when curved around the surface of the bumper.

The flat base may be a plastic material.

The flat base may be approximately 6.5 centimeters wide by 9.5 centimeters long.

The flat base may be approximately 0.1-0.5 millimeters thick.

The fastener may be a clasp.

In another embodiment, a bag holder for a game table comprises: a flat base configured to slide between a bumper of a game table and a table surface; a flat, flexible strap connected with the flat base; a loop-shaped strap connected with the flat, flexible strap; and a fastener on the loop-shaped strap which removably attached the loop-shaped strap to a handle of a bag.

The loop-shaped strap may be a VELCRO® strap which acts as the fastener.

From this description, in conjunction with other items, the advantages of the said invention will become clear and apparent more so based upon the hereinafter descriptions and claims, which are supported by drawings with numbers relating to parts, wherein are described in the following sections containing the relating numbers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages, and principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a bag holder with a flat, thin base, a flat, flexible strap in an extended, open position and a chain with a fastener, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the bag holder with the base fitted beneath an inner edge of a bumper on a table and the flat, flexible strap bending over the bumper, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the bag holder supporting a bag on the table with a bumper, illustrating the flat, flexible strap connected with a chain with a removable fastener, according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the flexible strap in a closed, curled position with the chain removed, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, all the various embodiments of the present invention will not be described herein. It is understood that the embodiments presented here are presented by way of an example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth below.

The bag holder which will be described herein is designed to removably attach with a casino or game table through a base which will be inserted underneath an inside edge of a bumper on the table. The base is then connected with a first end of a flat, flexible strap which bends around the surface of the bumper to an outside edge of the bumper such that the flexible strap is in contact with the surface of the bumper. A second, opposite end of the flat, flexible strap is then connected with a first end of a chain or strap, and the chain or strap is then provided with a clasp or other openable fastener on a second, opposite end. The clasp is designed to be removably attached with a section of the chain or to itself in order to create a closed loop that can be closed around a handle of a bag, such as a purse, in order to secure the bag to the bag holder.

The bag holder is designed to suspend one or more bags from a casino or game table through the insertion of the base under the bumper. The bag holder provides a secure mechanism for suspending a bag above the ground, provides a visible but minimal presence on the surface of the table, and provides the flat, flexible strap in order to avoid damaging the soft material and padding of the bumper. The bag holder may also be designed to fold into a compact profile, and may also permit each of the pieces of the bag holder to be detached from one another when not being used to provide for easy storage and transport.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the bag holder 100 will generally include three separate sections: a base 102, a flexible strap 104 and a chain or strap 106. The chain 106 may also include a clasp 108 at the second end which can be removably fastened to a portion of the chain 106 to form a loop which holds a bag in place. The strap 106 may also include a clip or Velcro fastener to form a loop at the distal end which is configured to hold a purse or bag. The base 102 is connected on one end with the flexible strap 104 through a base fastener 110, while the flexible strap 104 is connected with a second end of the chain 106 with a chain fastener 112.

The base 102 will generally be flat and thin, as it is designed to slide under a bumper in order to provide support for an attached bag (see FIGS. 2 and 3, below). The base 102 should be thin enough to slide between a small gap that exists between a surface of the casino table and an inner edge bumper which rests upon the outer edge of the table. In one embodiment, the base 102 is approximately 6.5 centimeters wide and approximately 9.5 centimeters long, with a thickness of about 0.1-0.5 millimeters. However the base 102 can range from 2 to 20 centimeters wide and 8 to 30 centimeters long. The base 102 may be rectangular in shape but can also be a variety of shapes so long as it provides sufficient surface area to slide under the bumper and support the weight of an attached bag. The base 102 may be made from a variety of materials, including plastics, aluminum or other metals and even rubbers. In one embodiment, a PVC, PET, PS thermoplastic, thermostat, Plexiglas or other type of plastic may be used. A first end of the base 102 will then slide underneath the bumper, while a second, opposing end of the base will attach with the flexible strap 104. Depending on the type of base fastener 110 chosen to connect the base 102 and the flexible strap 104, a hole may be provided in the second end of the base 102 for connecting the base fastener 110 and the flexible strap 104.

In one embodiment, the flexible strap 104 may be a flat, thin piece of material designed to support the weight of one or more bags. As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible strap 104 will bend along the surface of a bumper 114 and come in contact with the surface of the bumper 114 from a top surface of the table 116 to an outer edge 118 of the bumper. The flat shape of the flexible strap 104 is provided to maximize the surface area of the strap 104 which comes in contact with the bumper 114 and thereby distribute the force from the weight of the attached bags that is applied to the bumper 114. This prevents the formation of permanent indentations in the padding or wear and tear on the surface material of the bumper 114.

In one embodiment, the flexible strap 104 is a layer of a flexible, stainless steel bistable spring bands sealed within a covering, otherwise known as a “slap bracelet” or “snap bracelet.” The slap bracelet is designed with two positions: an open, extended position, as illustrated by the flexible strap in FIG. 1, and a closed, curled position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. The closed, curved position, primarily shown in FIG. 4, is considered the “resting” position of the spring bands, whereas the open, extended position shown in FIG. 1 is the tense position. The slap bracelet is therefore designed to move from the tense position to the resting position upon contact or movement. The use of a slap bracelet as the flexible strap 104 provides significant structural support to the bag holder 100 and helps translate the force of the weight of the attached bag to the base 102, as opposed to the force being applied by the flat, flexible strap 104 to the bumper 114. In one embodiment, the slap bracelet may be covered with fabric, silicone, rubber, leather or the like, although the types of materials is not limited to those listed herein.

The chain 106 may be a chain-link type structure, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The strap can be cloth, plastic or other synthetic or natural material. In this embodiment, a first end of the chain 106 is connected with the flexible strap 104, while a second end of the chain 106 is provided with a clasp 108. The clasp 108 may be removably fastened to a portion of the chain 106 to form a loop which holds a handle 124 of a bag 126 in place, as shown in FIG. 3. By forming a closed loop around the handle 124, the bag 126 cannot be easily removed from the bag holder 100, which prevents the bag from being easily stolen or even dropped off of the bag holder 100. The use of a chain-link structure provides for the ability to alter the height of the bags from the ground, since the clasp 108 could be removably fastened to different portions of the chain 106 and either increase or decrease the distance of the attached bag 126 from the ground. The chain-link chain 106 may therefore provide for different sizes and lengths of bags. In FIG. 3, the table 120 is shown and is supported by the table leg 122, which illustrates one height at which the bag 126 can be suspended from the ground.

In an alternate embodiment, the chain 106 could be made from any type of material which provides sufficient strength to support the weight of the attached bags. Instead of a chain, a rope made out of a variety of natural or synthetic materials could be used, so long as the clasp 108 at the second end of the chain 108 is able to be connected with some portion of the bag holder 100 to form a loop. In one embodiment, the flexible strap 104 is connected with the chain 106 via a chain fastener 112, and this chain fastener 112 could be large enough to accommodate the clasp 108 to form the loop.

In another embodiment, the chain 106 may be replaced with a hook (not shown) or even the chain fastener 112 without an attached chain. The use of a hook would provide for quick hanging of a bag without the fastening required by the chain 106 and clasp 108. The use of only the chain fastener 112, as long as the chain fastener is sufficiently large, may provide for a simpler, more portable design for the bag holder. A chain fastener which is sufficiently large may be used to directly attach with the handle 124 of the bag 126. Instead of the chain fastener, a loop-shaped strap (not shown) may be used to secure the bag handle 124 to the bag holder 100. The loop-shaped strap could be detached at one portion with some type of fastener in order to wrap the strap around the handle 124 and then fasten the strap closed into a loop which secures the bag 126 to the bag holder 100. The fastener on the loop-shaped strap could be any type of fastening mechanism, such as a plastic clip, VELCRO® straps, or snaps, although the type of fastener should not be limited thereto.

The base 102 is connected on one end with the flexible strap 104 through a base fastener 110, which may be a rivet, grommet or other permanent fastener to keep the flexible strap 104 attached with the base 102 and provide sufficient support for the weight of the attached bag. FIG. 4 illustrates a portable configuration of the bag holder 100 where the flexible strap 104 is in a closed, curved position corresponding to a resting position of the spring in the slap bracelet. The chain has been detached. This configuration allows for easy storage and transport of the bag holder 100.

The bag holder 100 is used by sliding the base 102 underneath the bumper of a casino or game table and laying the flexible strap 104 over the top of the bumper so that the distal end hangs over the side of the table over the lip of the bumper. At the distal end of the flexible strap 104 the chain 106 or other strap dangled below the lip of the table. The user then takes their bag and feeds the chain 106 or strap through the handles of the purse or bag and fastens the chain onto itself the other chain fastener 112 forming a support loop which holds the purse or bag. The purse or bag hangs below the lip of the table in front or to the side of the user who will be sitting at the table, see FIG. 3. The chain 106 and the clasp 108 are designed in such a manner that if the handles of the bag or purse can be of any size and can be accommodated by the bag holder 100 to hold the bag or purse securely. The combination of the base 102 and the flexible strap 104 provides for both heavy and light bags or purses so that they hang above the ground and do not fall onto the ground or touch the ground below.

The above description of disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the generic principals defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principals and novel features disclosed herein. 

1. A bag holder for a game or casino table, comprising: a flat base configured to slide between a bumper of the table and a table surface; a flat, flexible strap connected with the flat base; a chain connected with the flat, flexible strap; and a fastener connected with the chain and configured to be removably attached with a portion of the chain.
 2. The bag holder of claim 1, wherein the flat, flexible strap is a layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring with a covering.
 3. The bag holder of claim 2, wherein the layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring is in a resting position when curved around the surface of the bumper.
 4. The bag holder of claim 1, wherein the flat base is a plastic material.
 5. The bag holder of claim 1, wherein the flat base is approximately 6.5 centimeters wide by 9.5 centimeters long.
 6. The bag holder of claim 1, wherein the flat base is approximately 0.1-0.5 millimeters thick.
 7. The bag holder of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a clasp.
 8. The bag holder of claim 1, wherein the chain is a strap.
 9. A bag holder for a game table, comprising: a flat base configured to slide between a bumper of a game table and a table surface; a flat, flexible strap connected with the flat base; a loop-shaped strap connected with the flat, flexible strap; and a fastener on the loop-shaped strap which removably attached the loop-shaped strap to a handle of a bag.
 10. The bag holder of claim 8, wherein the loop-shaped strap is a VELCRO® strap which acts as the fastener.
 11. The bag holder of claim 9, wherein the flat, flexible strap is a layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring with a covering.
 12. The bag holder of claim 11, wherein the layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring is in a resting position when curved around the surface of the bumper.
 13. The bag holder of claim 9, wherein the flat base is a plastic material.
 14. The bag holder of claim 9, wherein the flat base is ranges from 2 to 20 centimeters wide and 8 to 30 centimeters long.
 15. The bag holder of claim 9, wherein the flat base is approximately 0.1-0.5 millimeters thick.
 16. A method for holding a purse at a game table with a bag holder where: the bag holder has a base connected to a flexible strap connected to a chain with a clasp at the end; the base is slid under the bumper of the game table; the flexible strap is laid over the bumper of the game table; and the chain is used to make a loop with the clasp to hold the purse and hang it under the table.
 17. The bag holder of claim 16, wherein the layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring is in a resting position when curved around the surface of the bumper. 